This is a tutorial explaining how to install Windows 7 Beta Build 7000 (the beta now available from microsoft) on Virtual Box. This video is split up into 3 parts. The installation took about 30 minutes.

Q&A:

What operating system/program did you make this video on?
Screenflow on Mac OSX.

Why did you set the operating system to Windows Server 2008?
If you don’t set it to server 2008, it won’t resgister the mouse keys working.

Why did you set the ram to 600 mb instead of the suggested 256mb?
The first time I tried to make the video, the install told me the minimum ram allowed for the install was I believe 556, so I had to redoo it.

How big is the disk image for Windows 7?
About 2.5 GB.

Where can I find the disk image for Windows 7?
Here is the current link from Microsoft: http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/3/3/633118BD-6C3D-45A4-B985-F0FDFFE1B021/EN/7000.0.081212-1400_client_en-us_Ultimate-GB1CULFRE_EN_DVD.iso
(This is the 32-bit English version; for more installation options register for the beta on Microsoft’s website)

What version/build is this?
This is Windows 7 Ultimate Build 7000.

Why didn’t you worry about the serial?
The copy of Windows 7 I downloaded wasn’t with Microsoft, I downloaded the disk image (the same one that is now available from Microsoft; the 32-bit version in English), off of a torrent website. To get a working serial, you will still have to sign up for the beta. Once you sign up, you will be sent an activation Email, you will click the activation link, click continue, and you will see a serial and a download button. The serial you will be given is a working serial. It can be used to register UP TO 3 computers.

Where can I download virtual box?
You can download it at http://www.virutalbox.org/

How do you go full screen and back on Virtual Box?
Mac: command+f
PC: I believe crtl+f
Linux: host key+f

Why do you keep panning around? Isn’t the resolution set to your monitor?
My monitor’s set to 800×600 and the install is by default larger I’m assuming so I have to scroll. Once the install is finished, you can set the resolution to whatever inside virtual box using the preferences.

Brendan Gregg from Sun’s Fishworks team makes an interesting discovery about inducing disk latency. For more details, see Brendan’s blog entry: http://blogs.sun.com/brendan/entry/unusual_disk_latency

Simple operations performed by a hard drive with no cover, so that you can see what it looks like inside.

This experiment was performed on an old hard drive, do not try this with newer expensive hard drives, it is a bit risky.

Joshua Marius
www.letheonline.net

Commands are in brackets [ ].
Create a new virtual machine and download Windows 98 bootdisk then start up virtual machine.
Go to Capture Floppy Disk Image in Floppy menu and locate bootdisk .VFD file then double click on it.
When Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu appear, Select 1. Start computer with CD-ROM support from menu and A: drive comes up type in [fdisk] Enable large disk support press Enter select 1. Create DOS partition or Logical DOS Drive and 1. Create Primary DOS Partition again then it verifying drive integrity.
Use maximum available size and make partition active then press Esc to exit fdisk.
Restart virtual machine then select 1. Start computer with CD-ROM support from menu again and A: drive comes up type in [format C:] to format virtual C: drive and goto CD menu then Use Physical Drive D: or E: or Capture ISO Image.
Type in [E:] press Enter then type in [setup] to run Windows 98 setup.

This is a video demonstrating how to encrypt files and data in Mac OS X using disk utility. There is also discussion of the differences between a read/write disk image and a sparse image file.

Want to compress files or encrypt files? Use a Disk Image to create your own virtual Hard Drive.

Create a Mac start-up disk image by going into the disk utility feature and selecting the Mac book to select an image format. Learn to create a Macintosh start-up disk image with tips from a computer specialist in this free video on Mac computers.

This is a quick demonstration of installing Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard) onto a Core Duo MacBook from a 30 GB 5G iPod. I no long have the Leopard disk image or OS on my hard drive. I will buy a genuine retail box copy in Jan. after MacWorld. I suggest everyone else do the same. I will NOT reply to any questions or comments in regard to this video. DON’T STEAL MAC OS X!

Apple Quick Tips- Make a bootable disk image!!

Not much as changed with the newest version of Microsoft Windows Vista. Backups still need to be done and the built-in backup software is not stellar. The biggest issue is the fact that you need to re-install your operating system and then recover your old system.

But what happens if you purchased a pre-installed system? It has become the norm for manufacturers to not include the installation disks, so if you encounter a hard drive failure, you really are up a creek without the paddle! To compound the problem, newer RAID chipsets complicate the problem of re-installation to the same level as complex servers.

But the reason for this article is to concentrate on Windows Vista and how it differs from previous versions of the Windows operating systems. Vista has a much higher degree of security built in, which is good, but for backups, it can be very bad! My recommendation is for you to consult with your local computer expert or if you are purchasing a system, go with a reputable dealer who will demonstrate a working backup plan with you. Remember, the backup is only as good as the data recovery. Get your dealer to demonstrate a recovery!

If you decide to purchase your system mail order or from a super store, you may save a couple of dollars on your purchase but you could be sacrificing quite a bit down the road. Computer hard drives are getting better and bigger, but also suffer from disk failer more and more often. You really cannot blame the manufacturers thought. Customers demand cheaper and cheaper systems, which means, cheaper and cheaper components in the system.

It just has to give somewhere. But if you are ever in doubt when it comes to backups, my suggestion is become sure that you are getting good backups that you can recover before disaster strikes!

Data backup and Windows Vista doesn’t have to become a nightmare. Find the right guide and you’ll sleep well at night!